A RANSOM, A PLEA

TAMPA -- On the afternoon of April 1, Robert Wiles vanished from Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, where he was working at his family's business.

Two days later, his parents discovered a ransom note.

Pamela and Thomas Wiles tried reaching out to the people who apparently abducted their 26-year-old son, but they haven't heard from him or his kidnappers since.

Now, nearly a year after Wiles disappeared, federal investigators feel "very confident" they are close to sealing up the case against the abductors -- and they are asking the public for help.

Investigators have identified a key suspect and a "few individuals of interest" who have ties to Orlando, Melbourne and Lakeland, either by living or working in the cities, FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier said Monday.

Agents aren't ready to publicly name their prime suspect or the others. Instead, they are asking people to come forward if they have ever heard anyone talk about Wiles in a jealous or negative way, or if they know someone who seems to be obsessed with Wiles or his family.

"We are asking that if they have any information, even if it's a hunch, a gut feeling, to please contact the FBI," Couvertier said.

Note demanded money

Pamela and Thomas Wiles, who live in Ohio, didn't realize their son had disappeared last year until they found the ransom note.

Robert Wiles was at work the morning of April 1, but what unfolded that afternoon and early evening is unclear. His car was found at the business. He failed to catch a flight out of Orlando to Dallas the next morning.

Investigators won't say how the parents found the ransom message, or disclose details about the demand, but Couvertier said it was "signed in a specific and unique way."

"The family did the best they could to adhere to it. They were very cooperative back then. They were willing to do whatever they could to secure his return," Couvertier said.

No money was exchanged, however.

"It didn't get to that point," he said.

So who would want to kidnap Wiles -- an outgoing friend and businessman, an athlete and avid fisherman; a talented pilot and employee who made his father proud?

The family and investigators say a disgruntled employee of the family business, National Flight Services, may be involved. Wiles has no known enemies.

He grew up in Melbourne and attended Florida Air Academy. Thomas Wiles said his son was the captain of every athletic team he played for, and as a student, garnered respect from both students and faculty.

Robert Wiles moved to Lakeland to work as a business development director for his family's aircraft maintenance company, which is based in Toledo but has a facility at the Lakeland airport.

He kept a boat in Melbourne, however, and spent many weekends there.

The week before he disappeared, the son traveled with his father to South Florida for business. Thomas Wiles got to see his son in action.

"I was very proud of the way he handled himself," Wiles said.

Couvertier said whoever was involved in Wiles' disappearance had information on the company's internal operations, knew his work routine, had access to his personal information, and was also aware of his parents' personal affairs.

"We don't know if this was focused on Robert or someone who was trying to hurt the family," Couvertier said. "We just don't know that at this point."

Reward offered for leads

Like the investigators working the case, Pamela and Thomas Wiles hope their son is still alive.

They admit they don't know what condition he may be in today. They don't hate his abductors. They just want their son home.

The Wiles are willing to pay $250,000 to help get a conviction in the case. They point out they are willing to do whatever it takes.

"I'd like to know what someone needs," Pamela Wiles said.

"If you're out there and you have information on this case and you can help Robert, we're willing to do whatever," she said. "People make mistakes. Things happen. We understand that."

"We want to know what is it going to take? What can we do? We're willing to help you."

If that means helping someone start a new life somewhere else because they fear retribution locally -- the family wants to help.

"We just want Robert back," Thomas Wiles said.

Family's ordeal goes on

The past 10 months have been tough for the Wileses and their daughters.

"It's like living with your blood being drained. And it's very difficult not allowing it to overwhelm every single day. The pain can totally overwhelm you if you allow it," Pamela Wiles said.

They decided to be strong -- and keep smiling -- for Robert, who wore a constant smile and woke up every day happy.

The family got together for his 27th birthday in September. At Christmas, they put the missing son's pictures under the Christmas tree "because that's all we want."

Pamela Wiles carries around her son's favorite visor, a yellow cap with a Corona logo. She keeps the visor with her at all times and even sleeps with it.

"I know it sounds a little strange, but this is a big part of Robert right here," she said Monday, as she grasped the hat at FBI headquarters in Tampa. "I'm hoping that I'll be able to hand it to him . . . and he can have it back."

Anyone with knowledge of Robert Wiles' disappearance is asked to contact the FBI. Go to http://tampa.fbi.gov/.